Arrangement for confining a volume of fluid

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for reducing leaks in machines, chiefly, groundeffect machines such as vehicles running over or under a fluid cushion, this being obtained by providing a friction reduced to a minimum between the free edges of walls which peripherally confine the fluid cushion and the cooperating vertical or horizontal track surfaces as provided by laying a trail of lubricant in the gap between said free edges and the track surface, preferably through distributing channels extending inside the walls and opening into registry with said gap.

United. States Patent lnventor Jean Henri Bertin Neuilly-sur-Seine, France Appl. No. 718,764 Filed Apr. 4, 1968 Patented May 11, 1971 Assignee Bertin & Cie

Plaisir, France Priority Apr. 5, 1967, Aug. 20, 1967 France 101,643 and 119,166

ARRANGEMENT FOR CONFINING A VOLUME 0F FLUID I Claims, Drawing Figs.

05. CI 104/23, 104/134, 238/148 Int. Cl 860v 1/04, Bv l/ l 6 Field of Search 104/23 (FS),120,134,138,155,156;308/35,5; /1l5120,7(FS);238/148 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch AtmmeyStevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher ABSTRACT: An arrangement for reducing leaks in machines, chiefly, ground-effect machines such as vehicles running over or under a fluid cushion, this being obtained by providing a friction reduced to a minimum between the free edges of walls which peripherally confine the fluid cushion and the cooperating vertical or horizontal track surfaces as provided by laying a trail of lubricant in the gap between said free edges and the track surface, preferably through distributing channels extending inside the walls and opening into registry with said gap.

Patented May 11, 1971 3,577,927

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented" May 11, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 11, 1971 I 3,577,927

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 54 53 59 65' 7 FIG-' ARRANGEMENT FOR CONFINING A VOLUME OF FLUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention has for its object a surface-effect transport system of the type in which a transit machine moves along a backing track surface with the interposition of a gaseous mass such as a cushion which is maintained at a pressure different from ambient pressure to interrelate fluidly said machine and surface and which is peripherally confined by seal means including a solid wall projecting from said machine toward said surface to end with a free edge adjacent said surface. The track generally includes a substantially horizontal operative surface facing the machine and may also include substantially vertical operative surfaces subjected to transverse loads acting on the machine so as to ensure the guiding of the latter. The free edges of the confining walls carried by the machine leave between them and the operative track surfaces a gas through which leaks into or from the atmosphere arise which are taken into account in the calculation of the position of equilibrium of the machine, said gap cutting out also friction and wear of said free edges.

However such leaks of fluid into or from the atmosphere lead to losses of power required for the maintenance of the pressure in the gaseous mass and it would therefore be desirable in order to reduce the expenditure of energy to limit or even cut out the gap between said free edges and the operative track surfaces.

If said surfaces were perfectly smooth and the machine were never subjected to sudden modifications in the loads affecting it, the size of the gap, even very small, would remain constant and there would be no premature wear of the confining walls. In practice, the machine is subject to varying loads, due for instance to centrifugal force in turns or to gusts of wind. Furthermore, numerous unevennesses of the track ascribable in particular to the bankings in turns or to the interconnection between successive track elements may occur.

Thus, such unevennesses or a sudden modification in the loads may cause the confining walls to engage the generally rough surface of the track and lead to a premature wear 'of said walls.

The invention has therefore for its object to make the free edges of the confining walls lie as near possible to the track surface so as to reduce the leaks through the gap down to a minimum, while nevertheless preventing any premature wear of said walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a surface-effect transport system as set forth hereinbefore comprises means for providing the free edge of the solid confining wall with cohesive, tangible lubricating matter, whereby to reduce frictional wear of said solid wall upon contact engagement of said free edge thereof with said track surface. The lubricant selected in accordance with the nature of the materials forming the track and the confining walls can be constituted for instance by water, oil, grease, talcum, pulverulent graphite, sulfur and molybdenum bisulfide among many others.

In the case of elongated machines having substantially rectangular gas cushions, friction and leaks occur mainly along those of the confining walls which are substantially parallel with the centerline of the track. Said walls being very narrow, the lubricant can thus be laid over a very narrow strip portions of the operative track surfaces, which extend in registry with the path of the respective free edges of said confining walls.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lubricant can be laid automatically by means of distributors carried by the actual machine. It is of advantage to provide in the actual confining walls channels opening into substantial registry with the area along which friction is possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following drawings illustrating the invention:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic transverse cross section of a surface effect machine.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view displaced with respect to FIG. 1 of said machine as seen from below.

FIGS. 3 to 7 are diagrammatic transverse cross sections of confining walls showing different types of lubricant-feeding channels.

FIG. 8 is a cross section through line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the front edge of a longitudinal wall.

FIG. I0 illustrates cross-sectionally the general arrangement of the confining walls of a surface effect machine adapted to lubricate the contact between the operative track surfaces and the walls.

FIG. 11 illustrates the application of the invention to a machine sustained by a gaseous mass under sub-atmospheric pressure along an overhead track.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional detail of the connection feeding a lubricating channel in the last-mentioned machine.

FIG. 13 illustrates a modification of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a modification of FIG. 12.

FIG. I5 is a diagrammatic view of an auxiliary carriage adapted to spread lubricant directly onto the track surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning first to FIGS. I and 2, a track 1 made for instance of concrete, of a metal such as aluminum or else a synthetic material is adapted to cooperate with a surface effect machine 2 suited to convey passengers for instance in its section 3. The machine is sustained and guided by gas, generally air cushions, to wit sustaining cushions 4 and lateral guiding cushions 5. Said cushions are fed by compressors housed in spaces 7 and feeding outlets 6 formed through bottom walls 10 of the structure of the machine. Longitudinal confining walls 8 and transverse confining walls 9 (FIG. 2) carried by the machine define the peripheral boundaries of the gas cushions 4 and 5.

The gap between the free edges 12 of the confining walls and the operative surfaces I l of the track is reduced to the utmost for the reasons stated hereinabove. In order to cut out undesired friction and wear of said walls, a lubricant is laid at the location of possible friction.

The lubricant may be spread directly onto the track and as illustrated in FIG. 2, it is apparent that friction and leaks occur more readily along the longitudinal confining walls 8 so that it may be sufficient to lay the lubricant over a small fraction of the breadth of the track.

It is however preferable to project the lubricant out of the actual surface effect machine which includes for this purpose distributors such as those exemplified in FIGS. 3 to 10.

Thus, a wall 8 may be provided with ducts l3 distributed throughout at least part of its length so as to open in registry with the cooperating track surface, i.e. in the free edge 12 of the wall; said ducts are fed by a lubricant container which is not illustrated. The arrow 14 shows the direction along which the gas under pressure formingthe cushion escapes outwardly.

In the case of FIG. 4, channels open into a groove 15 inside which a capillary packing 16 constantly moistened by the lubricant is housed.

In the case of FIG. 5, a channel 13b opens no longer exactly in the free edge of the wall, but in a bevel 17 facing the inside of the cushion. The gas under pressure forming the latter and flowing outwardly carries along with it some lubricant. It should be remarked that the channels such as 13 filled with lubricant may further the cooling of the lower edge of the wall, which cooperates also in a reduction in the wear of the latter.

The channels 13, 13a and 13b illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 may be obtained in the casting of the material forming the confining walls. It is also possible to form separate channels secured to the surface of the confining wall or extending within the latter. This is illustrated in FIG. 6 showing independent channels secured to the surface of the confining wall by straps I9.

In the arrangement according to FIGS. 7 and 8, lubricant feeding channels 20 are embedded within the thickness of the wall 8 in staggered formation, so as to allow laying the lubricant over a broader breadth of the track.

In H6. 9, a strap 21 secures a channel 23 over the front edge of the longitudinal wall 8. During the progression of the machine in the direction of the arrow V, the lubricant sinks in the direction of the arrow 23 so as to form over surface H of the track a lubricated strip area.

FIG. illustrates the general arrangement in a machine of confining walls which are designed in the manner disclosed hereinbefore.

The incorporation of a lubricant between two surfaces sliding with reference to eachother as described hereinabove is also applicable where the gaseous mass is under sub-atmospheric pressure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a machine which is suspended from an overhead track 42 through the agency of a gaseous mass under subatmospheric pressure, said machine incorporating lubricating means according to the invention. Said machine includes an upper plate 30 carrying at least one pair of arms 31a and 31b interconnected by a yoke 32 through which passes a pivot 33 which connects said yoke to a plate 34 carrying a cabin 35. A compressor 36 carried by said cabin feeds a flexible pipe 37'leading to a venturi-type suction pump 38 so as to provide the latter with an inducing jet of pressurized gas whereby a sub-atmospheric pressure is brought about in a chamber 39. The compressor 36 also ensures the inflation of an air chamber 40 and a hollow packing 41.

The track surface 42 under which the machine is adapted to run may carry preferably thin strips 43 showing a low coefficient of friction for engagement by the upwardly directed confining walls 41 and 44. The walls 44 are provided, as illustrated in detail in FlG. 12, with at least one lubricating channel 45 opening in registry with the strips 43 if any, so as to lubricate the gap between the walls 44 and the track surface. These channels are fed by a common duct 46 fed from a lubricant carrying container 47. Said container 47 delivers the lubricant through a pump 48, pipes 49a, 49b which latter is flexible and a tube 50.

FIG. 13 is somewhat similar to H6. 11 and shows a machine suspended from an overhead track through the agency of a gaseous mass 65 wherein a subatmospheric pressure prevails. The reduction in pressure is obtained through the agency of a section pump 51 connected with a pipe system 52. The downwardly facing track surface may be provided with friction-reducing strips 53 similar to those illustrated at 43 in FIG. 12 and facing packings 54 terminating the confining walls carried by the machine. Said packings are provided with a lubricant discharging channel 55 (FIG. 14) fed by a tube 56. The latter is fed from a lubricant container 57 through the agency of a pump 58 and a system of pipes 59 including two deformable sections 59a and 5%.

FIG. illustrates diagrammatically a carriage 130 for laying strips of lubricant on the operative track surface, which carriage is provided for this purpose with lubricant projecting nozzles. The carriage 130 running over the track 101 with the interposition of rollers 131, 132, 133 supports a container 134 carrying a suitable lubricant feeding through pipes 135 controlled by valves 136 to nozzles 137. The latter receive through pipes 138 atomizing air from a compressor 139 driven by a power unit 140. During operation, the carriage may thus, as it progresses, lay lubricant strips 141 over the track surface. Said carriage may thus serve for spreading a lubricant over lines registering with the path of the free edges of gas cushion confining walls pertaining to a gas-cushion machine movable along said track.

It is also possible to provide other arrangements for feeding the lubricant into the vicinity of the free edge of a gas-cushion confining wall. Said wall may be made for instance of a cellular material inside the cells of which a certain amount of lubricant is enclosed. Friction of said free edge against the track will produce in such a case a breaking of a number of said cells, whereby the lubricant enclosed in said cells is freed and said free edge is lubricated.

The above-described arrangements provide substantial technical and economical advantages by reducing friction and wear of the gas-mass-confining walls.

l claim:

1. A surface effect transport system of the type in which a transit machine moves along a backing track surface with the interposition of a gaseous mass which is maintained at a pressure different from ambient pressure to interrelate fluidly said machine and surface and which is peripherally confined by seal means including a solid wall projecting from said machine towards said surface to end with a protruding free edge spacedly adjacent said surface, wherein the improvement comprises: means for drenching said free edge with pressureless tangible lubricating matter in flowable state, whereby to reduce frictional wear of said solid wall upon casual contact engagement of said free edge thereof with said track surface.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means comprise a lubricant supply on board said machine, and duct means originating at said lubricant supply and carrying lubricant to said free edge.

3. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means comprise means for longitudinally laying a cohesive layer of said lubricating matter over a strip portion of said track surface which extends in registry with the path of said free edge.

4. A surface eflect transport system of the type in which a transit machine moves along a backing track surface with the interposition of a gaseous mass which is maintained at a pressure different from ambient pressure to interrelate fluidly said machine and surface and which is peripherally confined by seal means including a solid wall projecting from said machine towards said surface to end with a protruding free edge spacedly adjacent said surface, wherein the improvement comprises: duct means embodied with said solid wall and forming an integral part thereof for pressurelessly depositing tangible lubricating matter at said free edge, thereby wetting the same with said lubricating matter.

5. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duct means comprise channels formed within the thickness of said solid wall.

6. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duct means comprise channels exposed on the surface of said solid wall.

7. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duct means comprise a groove formed in the vicinity of said free edge and facing said track surface, and a capillary wicklike material accommodated in said groove and moistened by said lubricant.

8. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duct means comprise a plurality of lubricant enclosing cells incorporated in the structure of said wall in the vicinity of said free edge thereof.

9. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said solid wall has an inner surface exposed to said gaseous mass, and wherein said duct means have at least one outlet opening formed in said inner surface in the vicinity of said free edge.

10. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said solid wall extends substantially parallel to the centerline of the track and ends with a leading edge, and wherein said duct means include a channel located at said leading edge. 

1. A surface effect transport system of the type in which a transit machine moves along a backing track surface with the interposition of a gaseous mass which is maintained at a pressure different from ambient pressure to interrelate fluidly said machine and surface and which is peripherally confined by seal means including a solid wall projecting from said machine towards said surface to end with a protruding free edge spacedly adjacent said surface, wherein the improvement comprises: means for drenching said free edge with pressureless tangible lubricating matter in flowable state, whereby to reduce frictional wear of said solid wall upon casual contact engagement of said free edge thereof with said track surface.
 2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means comprise a lubricant supply on board said machine, and duct means originating at said lubricant supply and carrying lubricant to said free edge.
 3. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means comprise means for longitudinally laying a cohesive layer of said lubricating matter over a strip portion of said track surface which extends in registry with the path of said free edge.
 4. A surface effect transport system of the type in which a transit machine moves along a backing track surface with the interposition of a gaseous mass which is maintained at a pressure different from ambient pressure to interrelate fluidly said machine and surface and which is peripherally confined by seal means including a solid wall projecting from said machine towards said surface to end with a protruding free edge spacedly adjacent said surface, wherein the improvement comprises: duct means embodied with said solid wall and forming an integral part thereof for pressurelessly depositing tangible lubricating matter at said free edge, thereby wetting the same with said lubricating matter.
 5. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duct means comprise channels formed within the thickness of said solid wall.
 6. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duct means comprise channels exposed on the surface of said solid wall.
 7. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duct means comprise a groove formed in the vicinity of said free edge and facing said track surfaCe, and a capillary wicklike material accommodated in said groove and moistened by said lubricant.
 8. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duct means comprise a plurality of lubricant enclosing cells incorporated in the structure of said wall in the vicinity of said free edge thereof.
 9. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said solid wall has an inner surface exposed to said gaseous mass, and wherein said duct means have at least one outlet opening formed in said inner surface in the vicinity of said free edge.
 10. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said solid wall extends substantially parallel to the centerline of the track and ends with a leading edge, and wherein said duct means include a channel located at said leading edge. 